“Feast or Flop” is an engaging online cooking show that combines the culinary world with the treasures of the Museum of Ventura County’s archives. Each episode takes viewers on a journey through our county’s history as MVC Collections Manager Renee Tallent uncovers recipes that have been tucked away for years. Working with regional chefs, Renee attempts to recreate these dishes to see if they are a delicious Feast or a disastrous Flop.

Episode 6 – Fattigmand

Episode 6 features Renee working with Chef Luis —see how they fare testing a recipe for the Norwegian dessert Fattigmand!

Make this at home by accessing the recipe here

Episode 5 – Potato Caramel Cake

Episode 5 features Renee working with Chef Adam Hart—see how they fare testing a recipe for Potato Caramel Cake!

Make this at home by accessing the recipe here

Episode 4 – Spanish Liver

Episode 4 features Renee working with Chef Luis, Owner and Chef of Mouthful Eatery in Thousand Oaks—see how they fare testing a recipe for Spanish Liver!

Make this at home by accessing the recipe here

Episode 3 – Chicken Poached In Champagne

Episode 3 features Renee collaborating with Adam Hart, director of the Culinary Arts Program at Oxnard College. See how they fare cooking a recipe from Allen Hooker—original owner of the Ranch House in Ojai—Chicken Poached in Champagne. The recipe is from the 1960s—a time when California was beginning to understand and be exposed to wine.

Make this at home by accessing the recipe here

Episode 2 – Avocado Soup

Episode 2 features Renee working with Owner and Chef Luis Sanchez of Mouthful Eatery in Thousand Oaks. See how they fare testing a recipe for Avocado Soup—a 1980s recipe from a Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce cookbook. Avocados have been growing in Ventura County since the 1870s—the same decade that Ventura County split from Santa Barbara County.

Make this at home by accessing the recipe here

Episode 1 – Lima Bean Loaf Appetizer

From 1900 up to the 1960s Ventura County was providing 75% of the world’s lima beans. In this episode Renee collaborates with Adam Hart, director of the Culinary Arts Program at Oxnard College, where he makes a Lima Bean Loaf — a recipe from the PTA cookbook.

Make this at home by accessing the recipe here